HIDDEN LOVE (Part 2 of SECRET LOVE)

CHP 12: "TABLES TURNED"

Karishma stood tall in the witness box, her face unreadable. Across from her, Meera sat confidently, a smirk playing on her lips. Beside her stood her brother and lawyer, Rajeev Sharma. The courtroom was filled with school staff—witnesses Meera had called to testify.

As the judge entered, the murmurs in the room died down, and everyone rose to their feet. Meera’s smirk instantly vanished, replaced by a carefully crafted look of sorrow.

“You may be seated,” the judge commanded, his tone firm. The crowd obeyed, settling back into their seats as the proceedings began.

The judge turned his attention to Karishma. "Ms. Singh, I have given you time to present your side and prove your claim that the call records and chat messages are fabricated. Now, please proceed. What would you like to say?"

Hearing this, Meera glanced at Karishma, her smirk widening. Karishma met her gaze, her face betraying no emotion.

"Arey, ye kya kahengi? Kuch hoga kehne ko tab na kahengi ye," Rajeev said mockingly, turning toward the judge. "My Lord, aapne bas apne waqt ko zaya kiya hai inhe mauka dekar. Inka toh koi lawyer bhi nahi aaya abhi tak. Arey, koi kyun inka case lega jab pata hi hai ki harna hi hai? Koi kyun galat ka saath dega?"

Just then, a deep, authoritative voice cut through the air.

"Apologies for the delay, My Lord."

All heads turned toward the courtroom entrance. There, standing with an air of quiet dominance, was Barrister Anirudh Roy Chaudhary.

A man whose very name sent shivers down the spines of those who dared to stand against him. His sharp intellect, unwavering confidence, and unmatched skills in argumentation had earned him both fear and respect in the legal world. To date, Anirudh had never lost a single case. His reputation was so formidable that lawyers hesitated to take cases against him, knowing defeat was inevitable.

Judges, lawyers, and even criminals respected him—not just for his brilliance, but for his unshakable commitment to justice. But for those on the wrong side of the law, he was nothing short of a nightmare. Once he took up a case, there was no escaping his arguments.

Rajeev was no exception. The moment his eyes landed on Anirudh, his confidence shattered. His throat ran dry, and he swallowed hard, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. It felt as if the ground beneath him had vanished. Meanwhile, a wave of quiet satisfaction rippled through the spectators—relieved smiles forming on their faces.

The real battle had just begun.

Anirudh stepped inside and stood in front of Rajeev. "So Mr Rajeev mujhe aapko apna introduction dene ki jarurat to hogi nahi," Anirudh said with a smirk. "Aur jo aap keh rahe the ki koi kyun inka case lega jab pata hi hai ki harna hai. Koi kyun galat ka sath dega?" he continued while walking towards Karishma. "To case to mene le liya hai inka aur baki pata to sabko hai hi ki harna ab kise hai aur kaun galat aur kaun sahi hai," he added, turning to look at Rajeev, his smirk widening.

Rajeev swallowed hard.

"M-my Lord Mr Anirudh Ms Singh ka case lad rahe hai is-iska matlab ye...ye nahi hai ki Ms Singh sahi hain," Rajeev stammered. "M-mene kuch logo ko bulaya hai gavahi dene ke liye" he added, trying to sound confident.

"But the proceedings should begin with the defendant's side," the judge said. "Mr. Roy Chaudhary, please present your evidence that the audio recordings and messages are fake."

"Your Honor, main chahta hoon ki shuruaat Mr Sharma hi kare, bulaye ye apne gavaho ko," Anirudh said, looking at Rajeev with a smirk.

Rajeev felt a chill run down his spine as he saw that smirk. Anirudh was giving him the chance to go first. It meant he had something clever planned in his mind.